M. Louis Swinehart
January 23, 1915 ~ November 8, 2013
Marian Louis Swinehart died peacefully in Clearwater, FL on November 8, 2013 at the age of 98. Louie, as he was known, was born January 23, 1915, in Plymouth, IN to Ormond E. Swinehart and Cecelia (Sheetz) Swinehart. He graduated from J.W. Riley High School in South Bend, IN in 1933 and from there went on to Purdue University where he earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering and met and married fellow student, Ruth Crone. At Purdue he participated in Army ROTC and received his officer’s commission, he lettered in Track and Field where he pole-vaulted and ran the quarter mile. He was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity and served as both its President and as an officer of the inter fraternity council in 1938.
In June of 1941 he was ordered to active duty with the 38th division of the United States Army as an artillery officer. During his active duty he was stationed at various posts both in the U.S. and abroad with his last assignment being in occupied Japan to assist their economy to transition from one of war goods to the manufacture of industrial and commercial products. He left active duty as a Captain but continued in the active reserve and retired in 1975 after 22 years as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Corps of Engineers. Subsequent to his active duty in the army he joined Indianapolis Power and Light Company from which he retired as a Vice President in 1977 after more than 30 years of service. He was a Registered Professional Engineer in the state of Indiana.
During his working years he served the White River Council of the Boy Scouts of America, sat on Indianapolis Mayor Richard Luger’s advisory council, and assisted the United Way of Indianapolis by running the Morgan County campaign.
He is survived by a son Robert E. (Cheryl) of Valparaiso, IN and Belleair, FL, a daughter Suzanne (Kenneth) Comer of Clearwater, FL and a grandson Robert (Andrea) Swinehart of Lake Forest, IL.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years Ruth (Crone), his brother Robert and sister Guenivere.
Friends and family will gather on Saturday, November 16, 2013, 12 Noon to 2 p.m., in the Carlisle - Branson Funeral Service & Crematory, 39 East High Street, Mooresville, Indiana. A graveside service will begin at 2:30 p.m. in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Hall. Visit www.carlislebranson.com to share a favorite memory or to sign the online guest registry.
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Suzanne and Bob. I enjoyed your father and he certainly lived a long, fulfilled and accomplished life. I know you have many wonderful memories of this marvelous man. Rick Van Bokkelen, Chesterfield, MO
Remember Mom and Dad mentioning Ruth and Louie when they lived east of Eminence. And being friends thru school activites at Eminence. Our thoughts and prayers with you at the long life he celebrated! Keith and Sheila Gray (Dennis and Peggy Grays children)
Just a note of tribute to the children of Louis. I kinew them when I WAS IN 4-H IN Morgan county. My best to the family. Ann Lee Bingham
Dear Bob, I never had the privilege of meeting your father in person but because of his roots (Born in Plymouth, Indiana, graduated from Riley High School in South Bend and knowing you) I feel a special connection to him. In reading about all of his accomplishments in life, I am reminded of the poem that talks about the “dash” separating each person’s year of birth and death. Part of it reads: For that dash represents all the time that was spent alive on earth. And now only those who loved him know what that little line is worth. For it matters not, how much we own, the cars…the house…the cash What matters is how we live and love and how we spend our dash. As you honor your father’s life today, know that we pray for God’s peace to be with you and your family. Tom and Linda Wruble